Microsoft India recently launched map product (supports driving directions, business listing/PoI searches as well as local search) and Microsoft has now announced that Navteq will supply map data for Microsoft’s Live Search Map in India.
The partnership will enable MS to bring features like business lookup, category browsing, 1-click directions which provides instant directions to a destination from most major routes and the capability to share maps and direction through Microsoft Office Outlook [source]
Navteq was acquired by Nokia and Nokia too has launched 6210 Navigator that has an integrated in-map compass for pedestrian guidance.
Players like SatNav/MapMyIndia are trying out different mechanisms to collect the lat/long data of PoIs:
- MapMyIndia launched iNav, SatNav has taken UGC route with roadsofindia
- Distribution: MapMyIndia partnered with Ford/GM, SatNav gets into retail chains
- Blaupunkt launched GPS Device earlier.
To be very frank, none of the players in India have great navigational data and Nokia’s Navteq stands a strong chance owing to Nokia’s alliance with operators (cell ids)
Is Navteq collecting lat/long data in India (feet-on-street?) or are they partnering with somebody else?
Any tips?
Hey… you should check out SatNav’s webportal http://www.roadsofindia.com as it has sufficient data when compared to the rest… they have 200+ cities and 1.5 million POIs to choose from…. In a country like India , whr new constructions happen ona weekly basis, SatNav has introduced the ‘Citizen Mapper’ scheme… here they have asked the population of this country to join them in updating their maps. The aim of doing this is to provide people with accurate data. Check out the map of Agarthala, one will be amazed at the way this has been mapped!! So kudos to SatNav for doing an all India updation on regular basis